REBELS RETURN HOME, TOP N. IOWA

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Anthony Bennett had 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead No. 21 UNLV to a 73-59 victory over visiting Northern Iowa 73-59 on Wednesday night in the Mountain West-Missouri Valley Challenge.

Bennett, who had three blocks, was 7 of 12 from the field, including hitting two 3-pointers, and all four free throws.

Khem Birch added 11 points and nine rebounds in his second game of eligibility for the Runnin’ Rebels, who have won eight straight. They struggled at times in the second half after leading 43-22 at intermission.

UNLV returned to the Thomas & Mack Center after being away for 18 days due to the National Finals Rodeo. The Rebels went 4-0 during that span, winning three road games — two barely — and an easy home game from away from home at the Orleans Arena.

No. 5 Louisville 79, Fla. International 55: Peyton Siva had career highs of five 3-pointers and 12 assists for host Louisville in the first meeting between Cardinals coach Rick Pitino and Richard Pitino, his son and FIU counterpart.

No. 8 Florida 82, SE Louisiana 43: Mike Rosario scored a season-high 20 points to go along with six rebounds and four assists for host Florida.

No. 11 Cincinnati 60, Xavier 45: Sean Kilpatrick scored 25 points and led a second-half surge that carried Cincinnati over Xavier in the renewal of their crosstown rivalry, an amicable one a year after it was marred by a brawl.

No. 16 New Mexico 68, New Mexico St. 63: Kendall Williams tied a career high with 24 points, including nine during a first-half run that brought visiting New Mexico (12-0) back from a double-digit deficit.

No. 17 Creighton 71, Tulsa 54: Avery Dingman had 14 of his career-high 21 points in the second half, and Doug McDermott overcame a slow start to score 16 for host Creighton.